Located in Church Hill, Christ Church, Barbados, Christ Church Parish Church offers you a fascinating journey through centuries of resilience and mystery. Constructed in 1935, the current building is the fifth parish church to stand on this historic site. When you visit, you will learn how earlier structures faced continuous destruction from relentless natural disasters.
The original 1629 church near Dover Beach was washed away by a tragic 1669 flood that scattered coffins across the shore, while subsequent churches built in 1786 and later were repeatedly claimed by powerful hurricanes in 1780 and 1831, before fire destroyed the fourth structure in 1935. Today, your main reason to explore this location lies within its famous churchyard. Here, you can see the notorious Chase Vault, where heavy coffins were reported to mysteriously shift around inside the sealed chamber.
Despite a thorough investigation in 1820 by the Governor of Barbados and his staff, no logical explanation was ever found, and the coffins were eventually buried separately. As a modern visitor, you can walk through the peaceful churchyard and stand right beside this famous vault, reflecting on its unexplained past and the remarkable story of a church site that continually rebuilt itself through history.
What to see at Christ Church Parish Church
- Built in 1935, the current structure is the fifth church to stand on this historical site.
- Discover a site that survived centuries of floods, fires, and devastating hurricanes.
- Visit the infamous Chase Vault in the churchyard, renowned for its mystery.
- Learn about the 1820 investigation conducted by the Governor of Barbados.
- Reflect on the church's origins tracing all the way back to 1629 near Dover Beach.
Visiting tips
Be sure to explore the churchyard to view the mysterious Chase Vault during your visit.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Christ Church Parish Church is easy to reach on Bridgetown’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Nidhe Israel Synagogue and St. Patrick's Cathedral, Bridgetown. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Bridgetown travel guide.
See the full Bridgetown travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.